US plans to end duty-free trade access for South Africa and Rwanda

The United States plans to withdraw South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), threatening their preferential access to the US market. Trade Finance Global reported that President Donald Trump had notified Congress and both governments of his intention, with the proposed suspension due to take effect next year.

A statement from Ambassador Jamieson Greer cited concerns about compliance with the programme’s eligibility requirements, including national security, corruption and obstacles to US trade and investment. Established in 2000, AGOA provides duty-free access for eligible sub-Saharan African countries. The outlet said 32 countries currently qualify, subject to conditions covering market-based economic policies, the rule of law, political pluralism and due process.

South Africa is the programme’s largest beneficiary, with about $1.7 billion of goods exported under the scheme in 2025, according to Trade Finance Global. Trump accused the country of maintaining significant tariff and non-tariff restrictions on US business without taking steps to lower them. He also alleged inadequate action against corruption and bribery, and criticised its co-operation with governments Washington considers threats to US security and foreign policy.

The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA warned that the proposed withdrawal would raise costs for South African exporters and American importers, unsettle investment and put jobs at risk. Its president, Neil Diamond, stressed that businesses had spent years building supply chains and distribution networks linking the two markets, leaving companies and workers exposed to disruption.

South African Trade Minister Parks Tau expressed disappointment but said AGOA represented only 1% of the country’s total exports. He maintained that bilateral trade would continue, pointing to more than 600 American companies operating in South Africa and supporting approximately 134,600 jobs. Tau said the country had 60 days to respond to Washington’s concerns.

For Rwanda, the stated grounds also included human rights violations linked to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trade Finance Global reported that Washington has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels and using conflict minerals in supply chains. The outlet also said the US had sanctioned Rwanda’s defence ministry over its involvement in the conflict. US bilateral trade with the DRC rose 150% to $2.5 billion in 2025, according to the report.